Nigerian Police Force
By OLA MODUPE, Lagos-
Lagos State Police Command has announced a massive deployment of personnel across the state ahead of the Local Government (LG) elections on Saturday.
The command said the move aims to ensure a hitch-free exercise and maintain peace and order during the election period.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin.
He said: “Elaborate security arrangements and comprehensive security measures have been put in place to ensure security, safety, and peaceful and orderly conduct of the LG elections.”
He said the police command is working together with other security and safety agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The Commissioner announced restrictions on vehicular movements between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. on the election day.
“The restriction of vehicular movements will apply to all roads and waterways within the state jurisdiction,” he said.
However, vehicles designated for essential services, such as ambulances, fire trucks, and patrol vehicles operated by security agencies, will be permitted to operate during the restriction period.
The Commissioner emphasized that police escorts and armed security aides are strictly prohibited from accompanying their principals to polling units or collation centers.
“Police escorts, covered number plates, and the use of sirens at or in the vicinity of polling units and collation centers are prohibited,” he said.
The Commissioner stressed that all security agencies’ personnel, media, and election observers accredited by LASIEC will be required to wear identification tags certified by LASIEC throughout the election period.
“No one without the identification tag will be allowed to take part in the election. Anyone arrested without an identification tag will be investigated and prosecuted in line with the Electoral Act,” he warned.
The Commissioner clarified that the movement restriction will not apply to essential services, such as medical emergencies and emergency responders, duly accredited officials of LASIEC, and accredited election observers and media practitioners on election coverage.
